Last Thursday, I went for a routine blood test, which has always been challenging due to my very small veins. I was directed from one department to another until finally reaching the blood collection area where many patients were waiting. Despite my upcoming elective procedure on Monday requiring these results, I still needed to wait my turn.
Jesus Shed His Blood For Us
When my time came, the phlebotomist struggled as expected. In a final attempt, she asked me to stretch out both hands, successfully drawing blood from each—though it was quite painful. This experience sparked a profound thought: the discomfort in my hands reminded me of Christ’s crucifixion, though my momentary pain was insignificant compared to His suffering.
What makes this reflection especially meaningful is the Easter season we’re celebrating today! Jesus didn’t remain on that cross or in the tomb—He conquered death and rose again! As the Scripture beautifully declares, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said,” (Matthew 28:6).
This resurrection isn’t just a historical event but offers hope to everyone. The promise that “because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19) transcends religious boundaries, inviting all to consider what new beginnings might be possible in their lives.
Whether you share my faith in Christ Jesus or not, Easter’s themes of renewal, hope, and perseverance through suffering speak to the universal human experience. Even from small moments of discomfort can come beautiful reflections on life’s deeper meaning.
May we all find moments of peace, renewal and joy during this season!
The price of peace cannot be measured in tangible terms. I was speaking to a family friend about the Hamas/Israeli ceasefire and wondered why we find it so challenging to coexist peacefully with our neighbours. My friend replied dryly, “We all have free will to kill and destroy, or…” a glint appeared in his brown eyes, “to love and live in peace.” His words kept echoing in my mind as I watched the news of the prisoner exchange between the Israelis and Hamas.
The ceasefire announcement between Hamas and Israel fills me with cautious optimism. I have watched this conflict unfold, and while I recognise one ceasefire does not resolve everything, I believe each step towards peace is immensely significant. It reminds me that there is always hope for dialogue and understanding, even in the darkest times.
I was praying with my family last night and was grateful that bombs were not dropping near our bedroom windows, nor were sirens blasting through the streets. Yet, as I type this, my heart aches as Russia continues to pummel Ukraine with rockets and drones. The resilience of the Ukrainian people amazes me, but I can’t help wondering how many more lives will be disrupted before this conflict ends.
When I turn my attention to Africa, especially Sudan, I feel overwhelmed by the scale of human suffering. The ongoing civil unrest there and conflicts in other parts of the world are concerning. We can’t ignore these crises because they might seem far from home.
I understand we cannot measure the price of peace in simplistic terms. While experts can calculate military costs and infrastructure damage, I see the true price in the faces of displaced families, in the stories of lost homes, and in the eyes of traumatised children.
As I write this, I cling to hope. We just need to flip through the pages of history to know that peace is achievable. Every ceasefire, every negotiation, and every small step towards understanding brings us closer to a more stable world. We each have a role to play in this journey towards peace, no matter how insignificant our individual contributions may seem. That I’m writing this article means something; we need to desire peace wherever we are in the world.
Have a great, fruitful week wherever you are in the world.
In the dimly lit living room of our home, I watched my adult son experience the brutal reality of war through Edward Berger’s adaptation of “All Quiet on the Western Front.” As tears streamed down his face, I realised that nearly a century after Erich Maria Remarque penned his haunting novel, its message still pierces young hearts with devastating clarity.
The film, released in 2022, doesn’t merely depict war – it thrusts viewers into the mud-filled trenches of World War I, where hope dies as quickly as the young soldiers who enlisted with dreams of glory. Through the eyes of Paul Bäumer, a German teenager who enthusiastically volunteers for service, we witness the systematic destruction of youthful innocence.
What makes this adaptation particularly powerful is its unflinching portrayal of warfare’s futility. The scene that broke my son wasn’t one of spectacular explosions or dramatic deaths – it was the quiet moment when Paul, having just killed a French soldier in hand-to-hand combat, watches the life slowly leave his enemy’s eyes. In that instant, my son understood what textbooks could never convey: the profound human cost of war.
As we observe Remembrance Sunday this November 10, the film serves as more than entertainment or historical drama. It becomes a bridge connecting generations – helping today’s youth understand why we wear poppies, why we observe minutes of silence, and why we must never forget. My son’s tears weren’t just for Paul or the countless young men who died in World War I; they were tears of recognition, understanding that each name etched on war memorials represents a story as accurate and tragic as those depicted on screen.
“All Quiet on the Western Front” accomplishes what every war memorial aspires to do: it makes us remember the statistics of war and its human face. As my son wiped his eyes after the film, he whispered something that would stay with me forever: “Mum, they were younger than me. They were just kids.” My son rarely shows his emotions. This was one of the few times he allowed the torrents to flow. My husband and I hugged him as I reflected on the war plaguing our world, from Ukraine to Congo, From Sudan to Palestine, it’s never-ending, and we must do better.
Wars must stop!
This Remembrance Sunday, as we honour the fallen, let us remember that the best tribute we can pay to those who sacrificed everything is to ensure their stories continue to move new generations. Through films like this, their experiences live on, teaching invaluable lessons about the cost of war and the precious value of peace.
In remembering, we must do more than recite “Lest we forget” – we must help our children understand why we must never forget. Sometimes, it takes a son’s tears to remind us that the past isn’t as distant as we think.
As I scrutinise the global landscape, my heart grows heavy. The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are just the tip of a blood-soaked iceberg. Russian forces continue their relentless assault on Ukrainian soil, while the cycle of violence between Israel, Iran and its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah, seems never-ending. Amidst the chaos and destruction, one group thrives in the shadows – the arms dealers.
Across Africa, long-standing wars continue to ravage nations. The Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces are logged in never-ending warfare in Sudan. Despite efforts for peace, sporadic violence persists, and according to DW News, the 15-month war has left over 150,000 people dead. The Democratic Republic of Congo remains trapped in a cycle of conflict involving numerous armed groups, and according to Global Conflict Tracker, the war has led to six million deaths! In the Sahel region, countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger grapple with insurgencies and coups.
Turning to the Americas, the situation is equally grim. In Mexico, brutal drug cartels wage war against each other and the state, leaving a trail of devastation. Colombia, despite a peace deal with FARC rebels, still contends with dissident groups and other cartels. Venezuela’s ongoing crisis has regional implications, with violence spilling across borders.
In Myanmar, the military junta’s oppression has sparked armed resistance. The Afghan people face an uncertain future under Taliban rule, with pockets of resistance and the ever-present threat of extremist groups. In Yemen, a complex civil war has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Behind each of these conflicts, the shadowy figures of arms dealers loom large. They profit from every bullet fired, every bomb dropped, and every life shattered. Their wares find their way into the hands of state armies, rebel groups, terrorist organisations, and criminal syndicates alike. The global arms trade knows no borders, no morality—only the cold logic of supply and demand.
As a pacifist witnessing this worldwide carnage, I’m driven to ask: How can we break this cycle? How can we forge a path to lasting, global peace? The pacifist in me yearns for a world where conflicts are resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, not through the barrel of a gun or the blast of a missile.
Is it naive to imagine a future where we invest in education, healthcare, and sustainable development instead of arms races? Can we envision a world where the billions spent on weapons are redirected to fighting poverty, disease, and climate change?
The cynic might say this is an impossible dream, but we must strive for it nonetheless. Every life lost in these conflicts is a tragedy, a potential extinguished forever. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to seek alternatives to violence. As long as some profit from war, peace will remain elusive. But if we can change our collective mindset and see humanity in our perceived enemies, we can begin to build a world where arms dealers have no place.
The path to peace is long and filled with challenges. But it begins with us questioning the status quo and daring to imagine a better way. In the face of ongoing conflicts, let us not lose hope. Let us work tirelessly for a future where the only arms we need are those we use to embrace one another.
If we can all imbibe the ideology of a pacifist, we’re moving towards a peaceful world.
March Haigh Reservoir, Marsden Moor – Photo Credit: Kate Harney
The image above is so peaceful, and although I wished it was indicative of our political landscape in Europe, the reverse is the case. As we gear up to elect new leaders in the UK on Thursday and the US prepares for its November 5th, 2024, election, the ideals of peace and integrity seem increasingly elusive. Far from being serene and respectful, political campaigns often descend into bitter battles and mudslinging. I recently saw clips of the debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, and I bemoaned how politicians have sunk with no integrity whatsoever.
Peace, the cornerstone of stability and harmony, is ironically tested in politics. Instead of engaging in calm and rational debates, candidates often resort to fierce rhetoric and underhanded tactics. The goal is to win votes and tarnish opponents, disregarding the civility that should underpin public discourse.
Integrity, the foundation of trust and honesty, faces a daunting challenge in the political sphere. Accusations fly, scandals erupt, and misinformation spreads rapidly. Instead of embodying integrity, politicians frequently employ tactics that undermine public trust in the electoral process.
Both the UK election this Thursday and the upcoming American election serve as stark examples. Campaigns are riddled with controversies, personal attacks, and the manipulation of information. Ethical standards are often compromised in pursuing power as candidates prioritise victory over transparency and fairness.
Despite the chaos, I still believe in hope. As voters, we have access to information and platforms for discourse and demand accountability. Movements advocating for ethical standards in politics gain momentum, reminding leaders that integrity should not be sacrificed for ambition.
As we reflect on these dynamics, it’s crucial to remember that democracy’s essence lies in casting votes and upholding the values that sustain it. Peaceful transitions of power and principled leadership are not just ideals; they safeguard a society’s stability and progress, something our leaders seem to have forgotten.
In the days leading to these elections and beyond, we must challenge our leaders to rise above the fray. We must hold them accountable to the standards of integrity and civility we expect in our everyday lives. Only then can we ensure that politics serves its true purpose: to represent the will of the people and to strive for a future built on trust and harmony.
While politics may often seem at odds with peace and integrity, it is within our power to shape a political landscape that reflects our highest ideals. I am looking forward to a new leader in the UK on Friday, and I won’t only consider policies and personalities but also the values that define us as a society. I hope we can all do the same.
My postal vote is on its way; what about you? Are you voting? Answer in the comments below. 🙂
There are days when I genuinely believe things can’t get worse, and it did. Humanity appears to be a lost cause. People are selfish, filled with hatred, bigotry, disillusioned, and feigned superiority when, in fact, we’re all the same, woven from the same cloth by blood. Many people are more interested in personal ambition than the welfare of their fellow citizens. You’re probably wondering where I’m going with this, but you should have guessed by now.
If I were an alien (a real one from space), I’d probably wonder why humans are so stupid, thick-headed and delusional. Time is so short, yet humans believe they will live forever. We (I’m human, after all, surprise!) decimate everything we touch. We kill, plunder, and are consumed by our wanton desires to have more, not minding the many souls we trample upon in the process.
Daniel Anjorin – May his soul rest in peace.
The merciless killings in our cities and the ongoing wars in Ukraine, Haiti, Gaza/Israel, Congo and countless other countries are never-ending. On Wednesday, I woke up to the distressing news of Daniel Anjorin, a 14-year-old boy murdered by a 36-year-old man, Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, with a Samurai sword. The boy was going to school; he was not in a war zone, yet his life was brutally cut short, which is a testament to our very diseased society. I have a 14-year-old who comes home alone, and I can emphathise with Daniel’s parents. Marcus wounded two officers who bravely intervened, and four other people were harmed in the frenzied attack.
However, our political leaders are keen to score cheap political points that will accelerate their careers rather than find a lasting solution to the violence in our cities and world. They whip up people’s emotions, creating a culture of fear and hallucination and ruthlessly feeding off the vulnerability of the crowd at political rallies. I believe the hottest part of hell is reserved for politicians.
I am a pacifist, I don’t believe violence can solve the world’s problems, but when we have ‘big babies’ as world leaders who jostle and boast about the nation with the best ‘nukes’, it just drives home the point that the innocent always suffer at the decisions of these little men in power.
Human history/story is filled with wars, and I despair at our world. But I am also a positive person, so I’ll keep praying and hoping that one day, we’ll have sane leaders who truly care for their countries.
When I think about Jesus, I feel joy, appreciation for His sacrifice, and overwhelming relief that my life is free from the clutches of sin and shame. Christ paid the ultimate price for me and everyone who believes in Him. He translated my earthly being into a spiritual and heaven-bound believer.
What an overwhelming victory!
Death could not hold Him. Propelled by love, Christ went down to hell and defeated the enemy of our souls. As we enter into the Easter season, I am drawing inspiration from the timeless wisdom of Scripture, which illuminates the significance of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for humanity:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”
Matthew 28:6
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the ultimate triumph over sin and death, signalling the promise of new life for all who believe in Him.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
1 Peter 2:24
This Easter, let us reflect on these powerful truths and rejoice in the hope and redemption that Christ’s death and resurrection bring. May our hearts be filled with gratitude and our spirits renewed as we celebrate the victory of our risen Saviour.
In the midst of the cruel and tumultuous era of war, there are stories that transcend the boundaries of time and place, touching the depths of human emotions. “Pictures of Anna” is one such captivating tale that weaves together themes of love, trust, and sacrifice against the backdrop of the horrors of war.
This captivating tale will transport you to a bygone era of war and unveil the profound human emotions that transcend time and place. “Pictures of Anna,” written by Sam Martin, an award-winning British author living in Germany, is a spellbinding tale that cleverly blends the themes of love, trust, and sacrifice with the brutal backdrop of war.
Sam Martin, author, Pictures of Anna
In a quaint old Norman church, under the golden rays of the late morning sun, a young bride named Anna anxiously awaits her groom. Her journey is one of escape, a desperate flight from the horrors of her past as a German of Roma origin during the dark days of 1930s Germany. London becomes her sanctuary, promising a new life free from the terrors that haunted her.
Sam Martin unfolds a powerful narrative, revealing a tapestry of emotions that resonate with readers. Through his gritty prose, Martin paints a sensitive portrait of Anna’s life, entwined with hope and heartbreak, love and hate, anger and confusion. The story becomes a poignant exploration of blind prejudice, intolerance, and redemption.
Martin skilfully brings to life the claustrophobic and tense atmosphere of the home front. He delves into the prevailing opinions of the time and illuminates the seismic decisions made by those in positions of power. In doing so, he creates a well-rounded view of the era, shedding light on the struggles and sacrifices of everyday people caught in the turmoil of war.
Anna’s journey resonates deeply with (me) readers, reminding us of the indomitable human spirit. Her story serves as a stark reminder that the effects of war extend far beyond the battlefields, impacting lives in profound ways. It challenges us to confront our prejudices as we witness the consequences of blind hatred and the power of love to overcome adversity. The fate of Anna is an unfortunate reflection of many lives still facing prejudice while searching for safety from war.
As you delve into the pages of this remarkable novel, you will be transported to a world where the past collides with the present, where Anna’s story becomes a universal tale of triumph over adversity. Through its pages, we are invited to witness history through the eyes of those who lived it and to cherish the freedoms we enjoy today.
I enjoyed reading and editing this story of hope, heartbreak, and redemption. The lady who inspired the author, Sam Martin, is still alive, and through her story, we gain a deeper understanding of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope to guide us through the darkest times.
Pictures of Anna is available wherever books are sold, and can also be purchased directly from the publisher here: https://arrowgatepublishing.com/store/
Love bought us freedom from eternal damnation, and the supernatural is as real as the next person to you. Although it’s difficult for some people to comprehend that there is life after death. I believe there is life after we pass away from this realm simply because of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead.
If I were to count the times I have been saved from physical harm, I would have to write a 200,000 word memoir to recount my experiences, and it would not be enough. Christ’s resurrection shows that there is still hope, not only in heaven but in this world too. I am alive and renewed by the power in the blood of Jesus Christ and the miracle of His resurrection.
Heaven is real
I have experienced the supernatural power of God several times, and as a Christian, it’s with great pride that I declare my hope in the future; this life is certainly not the end, and humanity will be saved.
If anyone is reading this and you’re depressed, please don’t be, whatever you’re going through will pass if you put your faith in God. If disease has ravaged your body, there is hope and healing for you but you need to claim it through faith and prayers to God.
We all know that life is very complex but we have a complete God who sacrificed His only son for our redemption. There is hope for you, just believe in God, I did, and He changed my story.😄✨
Happy Easter to all my friends. Much love to you, always!❤️☺️🌟🌸
The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.
Albert Einstein
In the height of ’Jihadi John’ reign of terror, the Islamic State executioner who derives pleasure in executing journalists, that image stuck in my mind because it was widely available online. However, it has been replaced with Derek Chauvin grinding his knee into George Floyd’s neck while the poor man cried for mercy. When Jihadi John murdered several innocent journalists, mostly whites. I was angry and wrote about the atrocities of ISIS. It has come as a surprise that people are eerily silent about the murder of George Floyd, although, after a while, protests has erupted around the world against racism.
Alas, Derek and countless other heartless cops in the US are terrorists protected by the state. The US President has threatened to kill looters but killers like Derek would not have been arrested without worldwide protest. Killer cops like Derek Chauvin are degenerates, racist and divisive.
I grew up in a picturesque little town in Nigeria watching American films, Hollywood portrayed the US country as a land of the free, where everyone is the same, and actors fight for peace. However, that was just Hollywood. Minnesota cop, Derek Chauvin committed murder with people filming while bystanders pleaded, George Floyd also pleaded for mercy. That scene was not from a wild western flick, and yet, the cop was only arrested after an outcry and worldwide protest.
There are so many terrorists like that in the US, terrorising the lives of African Americans. Killing them with impunity, and if prosecuted, Jury always find them doing their job.
I am black British, not American but I have to speak out against this seemingly calm terrorist while the President was also inciting more violence? Looting is wrong, but you don’t encourage more racists to start shooting and killing, and then it becomes an orgy of violence. There’s something called ’dialogue’ even kids do it.
I am very sad for George Floyd, the US has lost the last shred of respect I had for it as a democratic country where the lives of anyone with a darker skin tone is in danger, from an erratic and unstable government to devilish, racist citizens to people who found this difficult to talk about.
Derek Chauvin and other terror cops that has killed so many innocent black people are inhuman, but the brilliant thing about civilisation is this; change is constant.
S. S. David 